A lot of stocked fish die because they grew up in a hatchery that are plagued with sickness and are dropped into a wild environment. There have been studies done on a lot of streams where the stocked fish main mortality cause are natural and not fishing related. While I agree that a fish needs to be fought as quickly as possible so it can have a safe release, I don't beleive a larger rod is the answer. I think a bigger tippet is the main way and proper use of leverage with the rod regardless of "weight."